Easton man threatens officers with claw hammer

An Easton man and woman face charges after two police officers were threatened with a claw hammer when arresting the woman for an assault, according to court records.

The two officers – Thomas Bittel and Nick Marriccini – were not seriously injured in the incident that happened just before 7 p.m. on South 12th Street, according to court records.

According to police:

Around 7 p.m., one of the officers saw Elaine M. Vanhorn assaulting an unnamed juvenile girl on South 12th Street. Police said Vanhorn had pushed the girl to the ground, wrapped her arm around the girl's throat and was punching her.

Police said when the ordered Vanhorn to stop, she refused.

As police arrested Vanhorn, a man threatened officers with a claw hammer. Police said Lester Vanhorn refused repeated orders to drop the hammer and also doused the officers with a pepper-type spray, said Easton police Lt. Scott Casterline.

Lester Vanhorn was arrested by the officers after he was shot with a Taser, police said. The police report did not state the relationship between Elaine and Lester Vanhorn, but both live at the same address – 1142 Ferry St., Easton.

Elaine Vanhorn, 63, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct and is in Northampton County Prison under $3,500 bail

Lester L. Vanhorn Sr., 69, is charged with aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of a crime and disorderly conduct and is in Northampton County Prison under $5,000 bail.